Leader of the team is Debra O’Brien, who was the Northern Tablelands Labor Party candidate at the last state election.

“Debra leads a team that’s diverse, that’s committed, that represents long term interests here in the community,” Mr Albanese said.

“Students, teachers, workers, wanting to represent Labor on the council to make sure that they can deliver on local issues to make Armidale an even better city than it is already.”

Other candidates on the ticket include second-in-charge Susan McMichael, Liam Dudgeon, Yvonne Langenburg, Jasmine Hughes and Margaret Finley.

Mr Albanese is the shadow minister for regional development.

A Nationals Party electorate, Mr Albanese said Labor’s views were not too progressive for Armidale and Guyra.

“The truth is that there’s a great deal of disillusionment with the National Party and that is occurring right through NSW,” he said.

“There’s a feeling that people have been left behind, that the National Party isn’t standing up for the interests of regional communities, that the Coalition is very much focused on the inner-suburbs of our cities.”

Residents in Armidale have expressed concerns about party politics in local government, but Mr Albanese said the two go hand-in-hand.

“Debra and her team are prepared to be open about where they stand,” he said.

“Quite often you have people standing for local government around Australia purporting to be independent and being frightened of saying what their political allegiances are.

“Debra and this team are proud to be saying they’re bringing Labor values to their campaign and if elected to the council they’ll bring those Labor values.”

The Armidale Regional Council elections will take place September 9.

Mr Albanese will give the Earl Page political lecture at the University of New England tonight.